Wheels to start with?

[dad&3boys]

First, I want to get a "track ready" wheel to use in a test car. Our pack doesn't allow for removal of a significant amount of weight, however, so I don't want to go into the ultralight category. Any suggestions?

Next, I want a good wheel for my boys to start working on, match molded and trued, but not necessarily track ready, as I want them to do most of the finishing. We'll compare to the track ready wheels above to see how good they're doing. Any suggestions for a good starter wheel?

We're into the new scout year so I'm hoping to get a jump start on things.

Thanks.

[Sappington R]

Dad & 3boys,
Racer X has quite a bit of insight as to which mold numbers are best on the BSA wheels. I know for a fact that if you use the derbyworx tools, wheel shaver, ect.. that you can do a tremendous job in a very short period of time. In fact, almost as good as a professional lathe/machinist. Is that the sort of thing you had in mind?

Also, MaxV has a very nice wheel balancing jig for use after the wheels are trued and polished.

Send RacerX a PM, he may be able to even direct you to where to get what you are looking for in terms of matched mold #'s.

Hope that Helps.

P.S. I was in exactly the same situation 9 months ago before I discovered the "tools".

[Lucky 13]

Jul 28, 2008 12:30:13 GMT -6 dad&3boys said:

First, I want to get a "track ready" wheel to use in a test car. Our pack doesn't allow for removal of a significant amount of weight, however, so I don't want to go into the ultralight category. Any suggestions?

Next, I want a good wheel for my boys to start working on, match molded and trued, but not necessarily track ready, as I want them to do most of the finishing. We'll compare to the track ready wheels above to see how good they're doing. Any suggestions for a good starter wheel?

We're into the new scout year so I'm hoping to get a jump start on things.

Thanks.

Dad&3boys,
Drop Tory over at www.derbydoc.com a line. He has the DerbyWorx "Pro-Stock" wheels which are what you are probably looking for. No weight reduction, trued tread area & coned hub. He also carries the DerbyWorx straight cut wheels. The only work they have done to them is the tread is trued. Hope this helps.

Lucky 13

[derbydominator]

Dad & 3 Boys,

First, the best wheel numbers for overall consistency in diameter and variance across the wheel tread are #'s 2,4,7 and 8. You can purchase these in sets with no modifications at a number of websites. For a good wheel to start working on, the Precision Stock wheel from DerbyWorx has the outer tread lathed but the wheel is not lightened and the wheel hub has not been coned. They use only the premium wheel numbers for these sets. Basically, they do the hard stuff and the scout can then perform all the necessary prep work. Keep in mind that a number of local packs have rules against machined wheels so be sure they are legal for your pack.

As for the track ready wheel, that can come in a number of levels. DerbyWorx has the Pro Stocks which have the surface machined and the wheel hub coned and the scout does the rest. Some websites have wheels available with additional modifications. One of the best sites for a menu type selection for wheel modifications is Pinewood Extreme at

www.pinewoodextreme.com/detail.asp?item_number=412800

I have not tried them for obvious reasons so I do not know about their speed, but I have heard good comments.

Other websites for the wheels:

www.derbydoc.com
www.maximum-velocity.com
www.DerbyDominator.com

It seems pretty hard on the wallet just to get some wheels for test purposes though. If you want a set of wheels just for testing purposes, I have at least 4 wheels that were modified for one of my son's races but did not test as well so obviously not put in use. They should be good for a speed barometer though. PM me your address and I can send them out.

Best of luck!

Darryl
[e-mail]

[dad&3boys]

Wow. Thanks for the great advice guys.

My biggest challenge is trying to keep my competitive side in check and keeping it about my boys. May have to get involved with WIRL to have an outlet for myself, then I won't necessarily be as tempted to help my boys out "too" much.

[ProQuest]

Jul 30, 2008 7:37:34 GMT -6 dad&3boys said:

Wow. Thanks for the great advice guys.

My biggest challenge is trying to keep my competitive side in check and keeping it about my boys. May have to get involved with WIRL to have an outlet for myself, then I won't necessarily be as tempted to help my boys out "too" much.

Hey dad&3boys,

That is the main reason WIRL exists -- to give us big kids an outlet for our creative and competitive juices. Hope you will join in.

Steve H.